Problem 1 – Derivative Using the Power Rule

Recall the Power Rule .

1. Based on the Power Rule, what do you think the derivative of is?

Graph the derivative of the function and your conjecture about the derivative. Go to the Editor. In , type . In , type nDeriv. To access the nDeriv command, go to the Math menu ( [MATH]) and select B:Calculus > A:nDeriv(. In , type your conjecture for the derivative of . Highlight and press to unselect this function, and press to graph and . Note: The graph may take a minute to appear. If your conjecture is correct, the graphs of and will coincide. If your conjecture is incorrect, the graphs of and will not coincide.

2. Was your conjecture correct? If not, how can you change your conjecture to make it correct?

3. Expand the binomial . Take the derivative of each term. How does this compare with your answer to Question 1?

Problem 2 – The Chain Rule

The following are ‘true’ statements that can be verified on the TI-89.

true

true

true

4. What patterns do you see? Using any information that you can infer from these statements, create a rule for finding the derivative of these functions. Discuss the patterns you see and the rule you created with a partner.

5. Using your rule from Question 4, what is ?

Verify your answer by typing your statement on the entry line of your TI-89. If you are correct, the TI-89 will return the word, ‘true’. If you are incorrect, the TI-89 will return a false statement. If you are incorrect, try again by editing your statement. You can copy your last command by selecting ENTER.

6. What is ? Verify your answer.

7. What is ? Verify your answer.

The derivative rule you have just observed is called the Chain Rule. It is used to take the derivative of composite functions. The Chain Rule is . First, take the derivative of the “outside function” at . Then, multiply this by the derivative of the “inside function.”